Future of Grain

HIGHLIGHTING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN GRAIN PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION

New partnership explores plant root systemsPlant Bioscience Limited and Dow AgroSciences recently announced an exclusive commercial license agreement for technology that enhances the root systems of plants. The research team, led by Dr. Liam Dolan, has cloned and characterized genes which may play vital roles in anchorage, water use and nutrient uptake in plants. According to the two companies, the technology has already been shown to be effective in enhancing root systems in transgenic plants of major crops around the world.

The commercial license covers a range of important agricultural crops. The research was developed at the John Innes Centre by Dr. Dolan. “Our research aims to answer key questions in biology and to provide solutions to important problems in food security, energy production, promoting health and combating disease,” said Professor Dale Sanders, Director of the John Innes Centre. “The technology was born out of basic research in nutrient uptake by plants and demonstrates the importance to agriculture of answering fundamental questions.” •

Progress made in dicamba formulationsSyngenta Seeds Inc. recently announced it has received full Canadian regulatory approval for the Agrisure Vipterra 3111 and Agrisure Vipterra 3110 trait stacks. According to the company, the Agrisure Vipterra 3111 stack will be the most widely available of the suit of products and it combines the Agrisure Vipterra trait with the Agrisure 3000GT triple stack.

The traits will be available in hybrids from Syngenta seed brand NK Seeds and will be made available through licensing agreements with more seed companies. •

Buhler and Westeele create allianceBASF and Monsanto recently announced significant progress toward launching dicamba-based weed control systems for soybeans and cotton. The companies say they have made major advancements in the development of dicamba formulations, which could be available globally for farmers this decade.

According to a news release, the companies recently completed joint field testing of new dicamba-based formulations applied to Monsanto’s next-generation dicamba-tolerant soybean technology.

“Innovative formulations with proven chemistries are an invaluable asset for weed resistance management and a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “The dicamba tolerant system is designed give growers pre- and post-emergence application flexibility, allowing them to better manage their resources and thus improving productivity,” he added.

Upon commercialization, the dicamba tolerance trait is expected to be stacked with Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean trait.•

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